Economy & Market

Prices may remain under pressure in Q2: ICRA

Published

7 years ago

July 31, 2018

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Despite cement prices touching a record level by end-June 2018, they could not sustain these high levels and eased by end-July. ET Index of Cement Prices has fallen about 77 points or 3.77 per cent from 2048 points at end-June to 1970.9 points at end-July 2018, though it has remained at 2011.2-point level till a few days before that. The companies could not hold their prices at a higher level witnessed in end-June 2018 even though their costs have spiked during the last few months. The expectations that the prices will go up further in July was dashed as major players in the industry were focusing more on building volumes by pushing stocks instead of focusing on higher profitability at this juncture.
On an average, cement prices have declined in most markets in April-June 2018 (Q1 FY2019) on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, at a pan India level prices have declined by around 5-6 per cent YoY. Leading rating agency ICRA said in a recent analysis that due to decline in cement prices the profitability of cement companies is likely to be negatively impacted in the first half of FY2019.
‘Also, the prices are likely to remain under pressure in Q2 FY2019 due to the monsoons. Higher power and fuel (increase in coal and pet coke prices) and freight costs (increase in diesel prices) in the near term are likely to continue to put pressure on the profitability margins and debt metrics of the cement companies,’ says Sabyasachi Majumdar, Senior Vice President & Group Head, ICRA.
The demand momentum is healthy, but the rising supplies have not resulted in a significant increase in the cement prices, which remained flat in Q1 FY2019 on a Q-o-Q basis, Majumdar adds.
According to data available with ICRA, in Q1 FY2019, cement prices declined in most markets such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Hyderabad. However, prices in Ahmedabad have been higher by 2.8 per cent on a YoY basis. In Delhi and Hyderabad, they have been lower by Rs. 40/bag, around 12-13 per cent, and in Chandigarh by Rs. 20/bag YoY (5.7 per cent). On the input cost front, coal and pet coke prices in Q1 FY2019 are higher by 21 per cent and 30 per cent on a YoY basis, resulting in higher power and fuel costs. Diesel prices have also been higher by 21 per cent YoY, resulting in higher freight costs.
Monthly production remained in the range of 26?28.5 million MT during the December 2017-May 2018 period, clocking the highest at 28.5 million MT in March 2018. In April 2018, production continued to remain healthy at 27.3 million MT, an increase of 16.7 per cent on a YoY basis. While production declined on a MoM basis by 5.0 per cent in May 2018, it has been higher by 5.2 per cent on a YoY basis at around 26 million MT. The production in the aforementioned period was supported by the demand in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (driven by irrigation, low cost housing and infrastructure projects), the eastern (driven by low cost housing and infrastructure demand) and the western Indian markets (led by execution of infrastructure projects). Unavailability of sand continued to impact demand in Rajasthan.
However, during their Q1 2019 results announcement quarter, the management of UltraTech Cement was sanguine about the rise in prices in the coming quarter, citing that June exit prices were higher than the quarter’s average.BS Srinivasalu Reddy

Concrete

15th Cement EXPO: A Step Forward in Cement Innovation

Published

2 weeks ago

January 17, 2025

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Mumbai

Following the immense success of the 14th Cement EXPO, held on December 14-15, 2023, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, the next edition of this premier event is set to take place in March 2025. The 15th Cement EXPO will be hosted at Yashobhoomi, Delhi, on 12th and 13th November 2025.

Meanwhile, the Cement Expo Forum 2025 is scheduled for 5th and 6th March 2025 at Taj Krishna in Hyderabad. This exciting 3-in-1 event, organised by FIRST Construction Council (FCC) and Indian Cement Review (ICR), will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss the future of the cement sector.

Building on the Success of the 14th Cement EXPO

The 14th Cement EXPO was widely praised for its strong participation, attracting over 1,500 senior managers and decision-makers from across the cement industry. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI, and Ali Emir Adiguzel, Founder and Director of the World Cement Association, alongside Pratap Padode, Founder of FIRST Construction Council (FCC). The two-tiered exhibition space featured cutting-edge products and innovations from top companies within the cement industry’s supply chain.

The event also garnered significant support from key government bodies, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India (GoI).

Recognition and Excellence in the Cement Industry

The 7th Indian Cement Review Awards celebrated excellence by presenting awards to 11 companies in various categories, recognising their contributions to growth and innovation within the industry. Notably, Parth Jindal, Managing Director of JSW Cement, was honoured with the prestigious Indian Cement Review – Person of the Year Award 2023. Meanwhile, Vinita Singhania, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding leadership and contributions to the sector.

A Vision for Sustainability

With the theme of “Driving Sustainability Through Technology,” the 9th Indian Cement Review Conference hosted thought-provoking discussions and presentations, highlighting the industry’s commitment to adopting innovative, sustainable practices. The conference served as a platform for dialogue on the latest technological advancements aimed at transforming the cement sector, addressing key challenges, and fostering growth.

What to Expect from Cement EXPO 2025

The 15th Cement EXPO, along with the 10th Indian Cement Review Conference and the 8th Indian Cement Review Awards, is set to be even bigger and more impactful than the 2023 edition. With an expanded exhibition space, greater participation, and more in-depth discussions, the 2025 event will continue to drive the industry forward. This 3-in-1 event promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing transformation of the cement sector.

As the industry evolves, the 15th Cement EXPO 2025 will serve as a crucial platform for showcasing innovations, discussing emerging trends, and forging new partnerships to shape the future of cement and construction.

For more details:

Cement Expo Forum 2025: https://cementexpo.in/forum

15^th Cement Expo 2025: https://cementexpo.in/

FOR CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIPS

Sheetal Talreja

Mob: +91 842 2874 030

Email: sheetal@IndianCementReview.com

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Concrete

Construction sector growth slows to 8-10% for FY2025: ICRA

Published

3 weeks ago

January 15, 2025

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The revenue growth for construction companies in FY2025 is projected at 8-10 per cent, down from the earlier estimate of 12-15 per cent, according to ICRA. This marks the slowest growth in three years, driven by factors such as the Model Code of Conduct in Q1, prolonged monsoons, and milestone-based billing in Q2, particularly affecting road-focused players.
ICRA’s analysis of 19 companies with a combined turnover of Rs.1.28 trillion in FY2024 shows modest revenue growth of 1.5 per cent YoY in H1 FY2025. While execution is expected to improve in H2, FY2025 growth remains below the historical CAGR of ~15 per cent (FY2018-FY2024).
Order inflows in urban transport, water and sewage projects are healthy, but road-focused entities face challenges due to muted inflows and high competition. Operating margins are projected to remain range-bound at 10.5-11 per cent, with debt levels rising to manage working capital needs, though debt coverage metrics remain stable.

Concrete

SANY India expands Pune factory to boost production capacity

Published

3 weeks ago

January 15, 2025

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SANY India inaugurated a cutting-edge factory expansion at its 90-acre Pune facility, elevating its production capacity to over 14,000 units annually, alongside a robust fabrication capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes.

The advanced facility reinforces SANY’s commitment to ‘Make in India’ by enhancing localised manufacturing and supporting global exports. Chairman Xiang Wenbo highlighted the strategic importance of India as a global hub, while Vice Chairman Deepak Garg emphasised the expansion’s role in driving innovation and infrastructure development. This investment enhances efficiency, reduces timelines, and strengthens SANY’s leadership in the construction equipment sector.